In a previous report, we assessed the nine industry clusters targeted by the GACC according to their labor market suitability and their potential for industry engagement. On the basis ofthis assessment, we chose two industry clusters for further work: biosciences/biomedical/pharmaceutical products and wireless technology. Both clusters are emerging industries, populated by small firms, and characterized by fast changing technologies. In each of these clusters, about 100 firms are located in the Greater Austin area. Both clusters hold promise for significant development in Austin. After securing agreement from our WorkSource Board advisors, we conducted further investigations of the biosciences and wireless technology clusters. This report summarizes our findings on the labor market in wireless technology in Austin.

In a previous report (Glover et al, 2005), we assessed the nine industry clusters targeted by the GACC according to their labor market suitability and their potential for industry engagement. In this report, we chose two industry clusters for further work: biosciences/biomedical/pharmaceutical products and wireless technology. Both are emerging clusters, populated by small firms, and characterized by fast-changing technologies. About 100 firms in each cluster are located in the Greater Austin area. Both hold promise for significant development in Austin. After securing approval from our WorkSource Board advisors, we have conducted further investigation of the biosciences and wireless technology clusters. This report summarizes our findings to date on the labor market in biotechnology/biomedical/pharmaceutical products in Austin.

This report reviews the nine industry clusters that the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce has targeted for economic development in its “Opportunity Austin” campaign to recruit and retain jobs in Austin. The report also compares Austin’s target clusters with the Texas statewide economic development efforts, and it assesses the suitability and receptiveness of each industry cluster for implementing workforce development efforts to remedy labor shortages and support the growth of the cluster. We seek to identify mid-skill occupations that are emerging into a labor shortage situation. These occupations should be suitable for targeting by the workforce system and employers in the industry sector should be sufficiently organized and receptive to collaborate on analyzing the root causes of the shortages and in contributing to the remedies.

Researcher(s):Daniel P. O’Shea, Alicia M. Betsinger and Christopher T. KingDate Published: April 1999Publisher(s): Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources, The University of Texas at Austin

Abstract: This report presents preliminary findings regarding the career progression of individuals in ten occupations. The project was designed to explore the education, training, and work experiences of individuals who are successful in these occupations as a possible basis for career guidance information and further research. The occupations were selected as probable “apex” occupations projected from “entry” occupations for which job placements are currently favorable.

Researchers conducted face-to-face interviews in the Austin metropolitan area with between five and ten individuals in each occupation. Participants were identified and recruited through professional or employer association, training or educational providers, and personal referrals. Because of the convenience sampling and small numbers of participants, findings are anecdotal and are not generalizable.